Android 2.0 'Eclair' Leaked, Screenshots Look So Good

Following up on the heels of their boot-up video of the Motorola Droid, BGR has just posted the first screenshots of Android 2.0 'Eclair'. And boy it's a doozy. This obviously isn't the final build of Android 2.0 but we're loving the new features it adds and the optimization (it's supposed to be fast) of 'Eclair'. New features will probably be added and things will change, but Android is clearly headed in the right direction--this is a much more modern UI.

Highlights of Android 2.0 features include:

  • Native Microsoft Exchange Support (hooray for business users!)
  • Integrated Facebook, Facebook friends syncs to your contacts
  • Improved Browser (double-tap to zoom, speeds similar to iPhone 3GS)
  • Updated Maps includes support for Layers
  • Unified E-Mail Inbox
  • New YouTube widget for superfast uploads
  • 'Car Home' application that gives big and bright icons for features used while driving
  • A lot of voice control

Hit the jump to see more pictures and our commentary on Android 2.0 'Eclair'! It's a great first look to see where your favorite OS is headed! For the full gallery, head to BGR.

Yup, there's no doubt about it. This is Android 2.0 'Eclair' running on the Motorola Droid

Contacts get a facelift and a new, quick acess feature. Instead of having to jump into your contact's information page, simply tap the contact's photo and a 'quick launch' sub-menu will pop up with actions. Makes a lot of sense

Microsoft Exchange support is built-in to the OS so business users will have the option to sync their accounts. There's also a unified e-mail inbox to keep track of all your e-mails from different accounts. On this screenshot you can also see that Android 2.0 syncs to your Facebook account as well.

Here's the front-end of Facebook. Having Facebook integration stock with Android may question the usefulness of MOTOBLUR. Will companies start to offer different experiences or just provide deeper social network connectivity?

Here's the 'Car Home' application that comes with Android 2.0. Think of it as your phone in car mode. As you can see, it's got big and bright icons that can be easily pressed when driving (or occupied). We've never considered this before but it makes so much sense, we're surprised it isn't offered on more phones. Voice Search plays a big role in making this feature a success.

Google Maps has been improved in Android 2.0 to include support for Layers. As it stands now, it looks like layers will offer neat little depth to your maps with Wikipedia entries, transit lines, etc. No multitouch but double-tap to zoom works here.

Browser gets a slight facelift (shows favicons). No Flash 10 support but BGR says that the browser is FAST (iPhone 3GS speeds). No multitouch but double-tap to zoom works.

Android 2.0 scores a new Youtube widget that makes it uber-easy to upload videos. Seriously, two-clicks.

Overall, it looks like Android 2.0 'Eclair' is going to be a solid update that'll most definitely improve the Android experience. We're happy with the direction that Android is headed and confident that Android is really about to explode. In 2.0, Android looks much more modern and polished and ready for the bright lights.

What do you guys think?

Casey Chan
29 Comments
  • nice. I'm typing this on a pre, which I love. I'm still in the trial period, but I think I'll keep it. Maybe &ndroid 3.0, as of yet I find it inferior to webos
  • just updated to cyanogenmod from Jesusfreke 1.5 and I have to say, im falling more and more madly in love with android!!!
  • All I want is a 10" Netbook with a Freescale ARM running instant-on Moblin. Is that so wrong?
  • I've got a MyTouch Running CyanogenMod 4.1.9999 and it has multitouch in the browser only for zoom pinch... Its getting there and i'm sure by the time this hits the mainstream it will have better and more support. I still use Steel because its better and the multitouch isn't very smooth yet.
  • I thought Android had multi-touch turned on at this point? No Android headset has it yet? :(
  • The HTC Hero has limited multi-touch which works in the browser and on photos. However, it's an HTC customization and not a function of Android.
  • Hopefully Apple stops pretending they have the only right to use multi-touch in the mobile field. Either that or Google just adds it in by default. It really seems like multi-touch on mobiles is to multiple mouse buttons is to PCs.
  • Éclair also means lightning in French so it goes well hand in hand with the optimization for better speed.
  • is g1 getting android 2.0 update?
  • they should have made a different one if they really wanna say that they are better than iphones because the screen shots like the calculator, the stby time, the menu,you tube streaming,the selections and evrything was almost a copy cat from iphone. but iphone is has better resolution and all. android should design something that does't look like iphone at all.
  • Android doesn't have a resolution any more than Windows has one. It's just the software. However, my myTouch has the same rez as an iPhone at 320 x 480, and the Motorola Droid will be signifigantly higher rez at 854 x 480. Also, there's no calculator screen here... and none of it looks much like an iPhone.
  • atleat iphone is an effective touchscreen. compared to those phones which looks like trying hard
  • HOME will receive a unique multi-platform release on June 5th - World Environment Day - in cinemas, on television, on DVD and on the internet in 14 different languages and in over 87 countries around the world.
  • So before donut hit all the g1 owners where getting mad that they would not receive anymore updates, weell we all got the donut update, I've yet to hear the uproar on not getting eclair. Anyone know anything about a g1 an android 2.0. Just curious if ill get it
  • This is the customized UI, stock EOM will not look like that. especially icons - google are making app icons with shadow, from the side. Droid is not following this.
  • So is Sprint just gonna skip 1.6 and head straight to Eclair?
  • I'm typing on the G1. I love this phone. I'm really excited than unlike the"I Phone" we get updates on our OS. T-Moble and Google stand behind the G1. I was reading that its a fact we are getting the Eclair 2.0 update. Flash will follow. Flash is being tested on the G1 as we speak. The reason I'm saying this is flash was running on older versions. Once 2.0 is released and flash is tested we will get it.
  • uninformed comments never cease to amaze me.
  • I'm soooo excited for the Flash update! That is going to make my phone like perfect! It's amazing how many things we'll be able to do as far as web browsing once we get Flash!
  • Does Exchange support include syncing tasks and meetings as well? What about security certificates? Unified email - gmail = NOT unified email!! I just don't get this. I can at least do this with WM 5.0 and Flexmail using Imap for Gmail and have all of my email in one view.
  • I just got the motorola cliq, will it be getting the Eclair(2.0) update? I mean I like the social networks on this phone, but it amazes me that they focus on social networking on this phone, yet you do not receive regular facebook notifications, only inbox, and that is it....
  • I'm glad Verizon is actually launching an Android phone! It's about time!
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  • Umm, what?
  • when when i ask you is this just a lie that they said all over the internet i mean they were suppose to give people flash player 10 i mean iam i missing something when are they going to give it if there going to give it there getting me angry they said october then they said 2010 but when does this come out 2010 and guess what theres no flash player its shit we want flash player we want flash player please i want to play megavideo on my g1 i want to go to youtube without going to the application i want to watch movies onjline i want to surf the web with full web experiance why do they lie soo damn much
  • People any1 here can tell me (I have a G1) if the T-Mobile G1 is getting and update of Éclair?
    Please!.. cause if not I'll need to sell it and get the Motorola Cliq... and I really don't want to sell
    It because I love this phone too much. From all phone I've had this phone actually does thing!
  • there was an article out a few days ago saying g1 will get eclair. I don't know how reliable that article tho, you might wanna just google search it. lol
  • As promised, Verizon tonight launched a commercial and a matching ad campaign, DroidDoes, that together attack the iPhone
  • Holy crap!!! Is this going to be available on the Dream/G1 anytime soon? I'm really looking forward to it.